Do it yourself solar panel

[freddy]

I ran across this page a few months ago, and thought I'd run it through this forum.

http://pyronet.50megs.com/RePower/Homemade%20Solar%20Panels.htm

On Ebay, seller nicknick1972 is selling monocrystalline Shell/Seimens solar cells. I made a lowball offer a couple months ago and he came back with a counteroffer that was less than $2 per watt--can't remember exactly.

Has any of our solar friends built their own?

freddy

[rreidnauer]

Nobody here that I know of, but quite a few over at www.fieldlines.com have.

[Kola]

I will soon be needing some solar power and just want to start small and work my way up. (I want to start kinda "bare-bones"). I would appreciate any comments or additions. kola

http://www.rain.org/~philfear/how2solar.html

[Kola]

doing some searches here, it looks like i should get a MPPT controller. (as per Rod's suggestion)

kola

[dbtoo]

doing some searches here, it looks like i should get a MPPT controller. (as per Rod's suggestion)

kola

And a PURE sine wave inverter!

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Man, I can't thank you guys enough for these links!

Looks like I can have solar IF I can get the panels above the trees.
I was looking at a lot of money to get a monopole up to 60 - 80'.
I then remembered the windmill at my parents house when growing-
up. It was a tripod made from angle iron. At almost 100 years it is
still doing just great. Thought I might be able to weld-up a tripod of
4" tubing. Would be a lot cheaper. After that idea hit me, I picked
up the Nickel advertiser. Thirty foot sections of 4" pipe, $1/ foot!!
Haven't called yet but it just goes to show the power of networking
we have with these forums. One idea stimuates thought and breeds
workable ideas. A several thousand dollar monotower might be
replaced as a tripod tower for about $600 (YMMV). Also, check out:
www.motherearthnews.com/Homesteading-and-Self-Reliance/1977-11-01/Mothers-Super-Simple-Solar-Tracker.aspx

-Rick

[Kola]

power of the people is great!

my granny always said "work together, but shower often..and alone) :oops:

:lol: Kola

[Kola]

btw Mother Earth News rocks..I highly suggest ordering their CD's which cover every magazine they ever printed. cost about 60 clams.

peace and pine scents,
Kola

[ChainsawGrandpa]

Hi Kola,

Somewhere on the 'net I found the archives with images
from the articles. They were my favorite price.

Just went to my favorites and clicked on the link. Been blocked.
Tried a back door route to open the free archives. Nothing.
Looks like they didn't like to give away the free articles. Rats!

-Rick